Abdominal supporter.



D. C. PRATT.

ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER APPLICATION FILED mums, 1918-.

Patented Aug. 20, 1918.

ms NnRms Psrzns co. PHDIU-LIYND. WASHINGTON. n. n

nonomrann c. PRATT, or SUMMIT,- NEW JERSEY.

ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER.

s pe cifi cation'of Letters Patent. Patented Aug; 20, 19 18.

Application filed March as, 1918. Serial No. 224,162.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DOROTHEA C. PRATT,

a citizen of the United States, residing at.

Summit, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Abdominal Supporters, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

A large number of devices of the class known as abdominal supporters have been designed and proposed, and in forms too numerous to classify or describe, except under the most general terms as single and double 'belts. The makers and designers of these devices have, however, appeared to have been influenced by the desire to pro vide for mechanical aids to maternityor those afilicted with obesity and seem to have disregarded the comfort and convenience not only of these but especially of others and slender persons who find it of advantage to wear such devices. for various hygienic and other reasons.

Recognizing these existing conditions, I have sought to devise a form of supporter which can be readily and economically manufactured, and which may be fitted or adjusted, applied and removed with the greatest facility and which, nevertheless, will meet all the practical requirements of such devices however exacting their nature may be.

With this object in view I have produced the simple and efficient form of supporter which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the features of novelty of which residing in the details of its construction and mode of use may be more readily understood and appreciated from the following specific rather than from any general description of its nature and purpose.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved abdominal supporter, and

Fig. 2 an enlarged view ofoa portion of the rear portion of the same.

As a whole the device comprises a broad band having side portions A and B composed of stout elastic webbing joined at the back to fabric sections G which may contain steels or bones, if so desired, and made substantially narrower to relieve the pressure on the spine. These rear fabric sections contain eyelet holes for laces D by which the main band may be adjusted to fit snugly the form of the wearer.

The side portions A and B widen graduallytoward the front where they are connected with the fabric 'sectionsE contain ing steels or bones of somewhat substantial character and ending in interlocking edges provided with hooks and eyes F by means of which the belt may be readily fastened around the abdomen.

With this band I employ a narrower belt which is composed essentially of elastic webbing Gr terminating in fabric end sections II provided with vertical rows, two or more, of eyelets K and divided at one side where the edges are provided with loops Land hooks Id.

The two bands are primarily adjusted by means of the laces, the outer or smaller belt being fastened bv the laces passed through that row of eyelets 'belt a tight fitting diameter. It is manifest that the outer belt while normally adapted to cover and surround thelower portion of the broader band may be worn as low down I as comfort requires.

The function of the outer belt is to afiord support to the sides of the abdomen and to hold the long bones or steels in the front or the wider band firmly against the lower abdomen. No single belt device of this kind can ever be made to afford a permanent support of this nature. i

It is obvious that adjustment of the device once made is more or less permanent. Either or both the inner and outer members may be applied with the greatest ease, and while the device as a whole is virtually composed of four parts, they are permanently associated into one.

The means which I have adopted and illustrated for uniting the outer belt and effecting its adjustment are desirable and convenient, but they are not of the essence of the invention, as others may be employed for the" purpose.

.What I claim is:

1. An abdominal supporter comprising in combination an inner broad band formed of sections of elastic webbing with fabric sec tions at front and rear, the rear sections being adapted to be secured and the length of the band thereby adjusted by lacing, and the front sections containing bones or steels and adapted to interlock, of a narrower outer belt of elastic webbing sections having interlocking edges at one side, and fabric sections at the rear with means thereon for attaching it at varying distances from its ends to the rear of the inner belt and thereby rower outer belt of elastic Webbing sections 10 adjusting its length. having interlocking edges at one side and 2. An abdominal supporter comprising in fabric sections at the rear With vertical rows combination an inner band formed of secof perforations by which it may be attached 5 tions of elastic Webbing With fabric sections to the inner belt by the lacing and adjusted at front and rear, the rear sections being as to length. 15 adapted to be secured and adjusted by lac- In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my ing and the front sections containing bones signature.

or steels and adapted to interlock, of a nar- DOROTHEA C. PRATT.

Copies of thin patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I 1). :3. 

